King Bushido
the WAY OF THE WARRIOR
Photographs by Karol Ruszkiewicz
interviewed BY CHICHI NYANGONI
May 1, 2022
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in London and I grew up in Peckham. I moved out to New Zealand at the age of thirteen. Been here ever since, but originally my family is from Ghana. Big ups to West Africa.
What was it like growing up in London?
Growing up in London was really busy, there was people everywhere and the weather was very different compared to here but it was good!
When did you start making music?
Making music was a really recent thing for me if I think about it. I’d say around 2019 was when I sat down and said you know what, like I’m starting.
What inspired you to start?
Hearing the other artists, like the local artists. But what really got to me was like some of these artists claiming to be Grime MC’s. I’d listen to it and be like nah this ain’t Grime - if you’re gonna do it, this is how it’s done.
So you would classify your genre as Grime?
I’d say so yeah.
Bushido means ‘The Way of the Warrior’ in Japanese, what inspired you to use the name King Bushido?
It honestly kind of just came to me in the moment. I spent a good while deciding on an artist name for myself. ‘The Iceman’ part of my name was a bit of a joke I started, but it stuck.
You had a show last night, where was it?
Yeah I had a show at The Back Bar in Hamilton, it’s like Hamilton’s resident D&B (drum & bass) club. It was one of the first times I’ve actually had a rap gig there as they normally only do D&B gigs.
How many live shows have you done?
Last night’s show would be my fourth or maybe fifth show so far. I’ve done Hometown Hustle, Against The Grain; both of these were put on by ATG Records. I did a show for Skip The Boat and for Head Entertainment Industry.
Describe your best or favourite live performance you’ve had so far.
My favourite? I’d have to say last night would have to be one of them. Honestly it was the first time I performed two of my new songs. There was a decent amount of people and like the reception I got after I finished Boss Man Energy gave me the concrete energy to know I’d doing alright.
Talking about Boss Man Energy, obviously the title says it but could you tell me more about this song. What’s the idea behind this song?
It was inspired by the feeling I get when I finish a song. If I rap a whole song, I’ll be feeling completely different after to when I started two and half minutes. It’s about the feeling it gives you, that’s why I named it Boss Man Energy. The sheer energy, the vim that you get.
I SAT DOWN WITH DAVID WALKER AKA KING BUSHIDO; AN UP AND COMING MUSICIAN BASED IN NEW ZEALAND. WE DISCUSSED HIS MUSIC AND ENDEAVOURS BELOW.
When you’re writing your music, what’s your main inspiration?
Hmm.. I guess it depends, I like to think I have a good grasp on the English language so I like to challenge myself to write the best song that I can. I play around with the lyrics.
If you could collaborate with any musician or band, who would it be?
Oooo its a tough one!
Dead or live musicians
(David laughs).
Ok We’ll do both; one dead one alive.
Well, I’d love to - this might sound a bit weird but I’d have loved to get Bob on a song. Bob Marley.
Oh yeah, I feel like that could work maybe? Reggae and Grime?
It could be beautiful I reckon.
And Alive?
Oo, I’d have to say Skepta, for a long long time I’ve been a fan of his.
I feel you, that would be epic!
He does it all, music fashion and everything. The thing about his music is he doesn’t have ghost writers, he doesn’t have people making his beats for him; he makes all his own beats.
Who is a Grime artist that you rate?
Oh a hundred percent; Giggs.
Who is a Kiwi artist you rate?
Raiza Biza, he’s a real good guy and definitely Jess B. I’ve seen her live and she’s too cool.
What’s your own favourite song?
I’d say Royalty, it’s off the EP (Conqueror) that I did last year.
My favourite song of yours hands down is Certi
Oh it’s a vibe, that’s my flagship song.
That song showed me who you are as an artist
That was my favourite to write as it set the pace of what is to follow. Everything that comes after that has to be hard.
What would your dream festival to perform be?
Dream festival? Definitely Northern Bass.
Footage I’ve seen of your previous gigs goes off.
Yeah we’re always having a good time!
What is the main struggle you face as a musician?
Trying to get my music heard. Trying to just push it out there as much as possible.
Who produces your beats?
I’ve got a couple of friends who are close to the heart, Nebias down in Hamilton, he’s a great, talented guy so go check him out.
When you’re not making music, what do you do in your down time?
I just try expand my understanding of music if that makes sense? I listen to older music because I want to see how those guys did it back then.
Working on your craft?
Yeah I’m just trying to advance my own thing, it might sound lame but -
No not at all, I respect that!
Are you watching anything on Netflix?
I’m halfway through Hiphop Evolution
You really are living and breathing music aye, fine tuning your craft even in your free time.
Pretty much yeah.
What’s your plan for the rest of this year?
I want to drop an album, it’s halfway finished just mastering
What’s something I about you that people don’t know?
I got a thing for Adele.
(both laugh)
For real? Tell me more.
Yeah I got all her music, I feel her.
We both laugh.
Bossman Energy releases in May, 2022
